7-Year-Old Boy Killed In North Carolina Outer Banks Elevator Accident
A 7-year-old boy was killed in an elevator accident inside a home on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The family was on vacation and renting a home in the area.
Currituck Fire-EMS Chief Ralph Melton said emergency workers were sent to a home in Corolla Sunday evening and arrived to find a 7-year-old boy without a pulse and trapped by the elevator, news outlets reported. Rescuers were able to immediately free the child but unfortunately were unable to resuscitate him.
“The inches-wide gap between the two sets of doors on residential elevators has been a known hazard with deadly results” according to a report on the New York Post. The state’s Department of Labor doesn’t inspect elevators inside private homes the way that it does with commercial and public buildings, according to the Associated Press. This was a tragic accident and our condolences go out to the family.
In order to keep your children safe from elevator accidents follow these tips It is important to remind your children about elevator safety. As noted, elevators have the potential for serious injury, so please go over these tips with children before visiting places with elevators.
- Always let others exit before boarding the car.
- Get in and out quickly.
- Push the “door open” button if people are rushing to get to the car.
- Watch your step when entering or exiting, as the doors may not be level with the floor.
- Use the alarm or help button if you need it, but only in the event of an emergency.
- Wait for help to arrive if you are stuck.
- Don’t try to stop closing doors with your hands, feet, or body.
- In the event of a fire or fire drill, use the stairs and not the elevator.
- Don’t climb out of a stalled elevator or attempt to pry open closed doors.
